KALAMAZOO, MI — Brooke Hill has never let anything stand in the way of her dreams.

Brooke
Hill, 31, of Kalamazoo, has volunteered more than 100 hours at the
Caring Network of Catholic Family Services in the past two years. Hill is a sociology student at Western Michigan University, a hair stylist, a volunteer and a mother of two.

STAR Award winners

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"I had my son at the age of 15," she said. "I remember how it felt being a young mom, and I know how helpful it would have been to have a resource like the Caring Network."

For her efforts, Hill has received the STAR (Sharing Time and Resources) Award for College Volunteer of the Year.

Hill began volunteering for the Caring Network as part of a
non-profit leadership course. Now she serves as a mentor to young mothers, assists in toy and clothing drives and speaks to groups of women to tell her inspiring story.

"I was in an abusive relationship when I was a teenager. I was
homeless during my senior year of high school," Hill said. "When some of the ladies come in to the Caring Network, it's extremely important for them to see someone who has been there, done that and moved on."

After Hill had her son, Dequan, she remained in school, refusing to meet the stereotype that young mothers cannot make anything of themselves. She attended Continuing Education Young Families, then in Kalamazoo, before the facility closed.

Because she was homeless her senior year of high school, she dropped out. She later earned her GED. She then received an associate's degree in international relations at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

"Being a mother friend and having gone through these
experiences is helpful because I'm relatable," Hill said. "I try to help the girls I work with realize that things do get better, that they can't be a victim of their circumstances."

As a mother friend, Hill mentors other young mothers by meeting with
them weekly for lunch, shopping trips or coffee. She said that having someone to talk to about their struggles as a young mother helps to ease the stress that comes with being a new mom.

Now, Hill is pursuing a bachelor's degree in sociology with a minor
in global and international studies. She will graduate at the end of this month.

"I'd like to work in the government and eventually develop my own nonprofit organization for teenagers in disadvantaged and marginalized areas," she said.

Brooke's other child, Cali, already understands the importance of giving back to her community at the age of 8.

"I sometimes give them my old baby stuff, toys and books. I feel like I don't need the stuff as much as they do, so why not?" she said. Cali also volunteers in the drives with her mother.

"My mom is my hero because she does tons of homework, works a lot, spends time with me and still has time to go to the Caring Network to help other people," she said.

Hill said she does not regret a minute of her life.

"Having my son made me push harder. He was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. He gave me the willpower and confidence to keep pushing through all of the obstacles in my way," she said.

Hill said she plans to be a lifelong volunteer in order to give back to the community that has given so much to her.

"When you volunteer, you give not only to the people you're helping, but to your own soul. It's reciprocal. I don't know how I could ever stop," she said. Contact Ambrosia Neldon at aneldon@mlive.com or 574-298-8989.